Sample Media Cover Letter
Note: Place cover letter to the media on your department’s letterhead or on the enclosed campaign letterhead. You can mail or e-mail the information to local media. Substitute appropriate information for the words in all capital letters.   


(INSERT DATE)

Dear (NAME OF MEDIA CONTACT):

I’m sure the residents of (INSERT YOUR TOWN/CITY/DISTRICT) would be surprised to learn that the number one cause of home fire deaths is smoking. On average, 1,000 people (smokers and non-smokers) are killed in smoking-related fires every year. Most people are asleep when the fires occur.

We are writing to ask (INSERT NAME OF MEDIA OUTLET) to support our Smoking & Home Fires Campaign to reduce fire deaths among smokers and those who live with smokers in (INSERT YOUR TOWN/CITY/DISTRICT). With your help, smoking-related fires can be prevented by spreading the word about a few simple precautions.

Some of the campaign messages are:

* The safest place to smoke is outside of the home. 
* Use a sturdy ashtray or a can filled with sand to collect ashes.
* Put it out. All the Way. Every Time. 

Every year, people are killed in home fires caused by smoking materials like cigarettes, cigars and pipes. A lit cigarette accidentally dropped onto a chair or bed can cause a large fire in seconds. By using the (PRINT AD/LIVE READ PSA) you will help members of our community avoid becoming a tragic fire statistic, and encourage fire-safe smoking practices in (INSERT YOUR TOWN/CITY/DISTRICT).

Enclosed you will also find a fact sheet about the campaign. I will contact you in the next couple of days to set up a meeting or phone call to discuss our request and answer your questions. Please feel welcome to call me at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. (FOR RADIO INCLUDE: WE WOULD ALSO BE GLAD TO RECORD THE PSA FOR AIRING ON YOUR STATION.) 

We hope you’ll be able to work with us to reduce the number one cause of preventable home fire deaths in our community.

Sincerely,

(NAME OF CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON, CHIEF, OR PIO)

P.S. For more information about the Smoking & Home Fires Campaign, please visit the United States Fire Administration’s campaign Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/smoking.